The Medicalization of Love

Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics 24 (3):323-336 (2015)
  Copy   BIBTEX

Abstract

Pharmaceuticals or other emerging technologies could be used to enhance (or diminish) feelings of lust, attraction, and attachment in adult romantic partnerships. While such interventions could conceivably be used to promote individual (and couple) well-being, their widespread development and/or adoption might lead to “medicalization” of human love and heartache—for some, a source of serious concern. In this essay, we argue that the “medicalization of love” need not necessarily be problematic, on balance, but could plausibly be expected to have either good or bad consequences depending upon how it unfolds. By anticipating some of the specific ways in which these technologies could yield unwanted outcomes, bioethicists and others can help direct the course of love’s “medicalization”—should it happen to occur—more toward the “good” side than the “bad.”

Author Profiles

Julian Savulescu
Oxford University
Brian D. Earp
National University of Singapore

Analytics

Added to PP
2014-06-19

Downloads
888 (#21,106)

6 months
70 (#77,994)

Historical graph of downloads since first upload
This graph includes both downloads from PhilArchive and clicks on external links on PhilPapers.
How can I increase my downloads?